Panel backing and mounting system

ABSTRACT

Provided is a panel support system for architectural displays. The panel support system includes an architectural panel defining a carved surface, an opposing architectural attachment surface and a sidewall extending between the carved surface and the architectural attachment surface. A planar support member is connected to the architectural attachment surface. The planar support member is sized and configured to mitigate deformation of the carved surface. A mounting system may also be included, having a panel mounting member coupled to the panel and a support surface mounting member connected to a wall. The panel mounting member includes a cup engageable with a bulbous tip formed on the support surface mounting member. An alignment system may further be provided and include alignment members which are attached to respective panels. The alignment members connected to adjacent panels are engageable with each other to align the adjacent panels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to architectural panels,typically wooden panels, and more specifically, to a reinforcementmember and a mounting system for mounting the architectural panels to asupport surface.

Contemporary architecture and interior design practices frequently callfor fine decorative articles such as architectural panels to accenthomes, offices, and other architectural spaces. A leading producer ofsuch architectural panels is THE ENKEBOLL CO., doing business asENKEBOLL DESIGNS, of Carson, Calif., the assignee of the subjectapplication. Such decorative accessories may be mounted to walls orother support surfaces to enhance the aesthetic appeal thereof. Theaccessories often incorporate elegant and artistic designs such asflowers, vines, leaves, shrubs, medallions, and the like. Various typesof materials, such as woods including maple, red oak, cherry, white oak,mahogany, black walnut, and alder woods are utilized. Other materialsmay include fiberboard, plastic, and composites, which are especiallyuseful when it is not desirable for the final product to show any woodgrain, or when the final product will be painted instead of beingstained.

These accessories may be incorporated into doors, cabinets, houses, andother structures as desired to provide ornamental designs and decorativeappearances, thus enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area in whichsuch ornamental architectural elements are found.

It is well-known that architectural panels may develop dimensionaldistortions over time, especially in the case of architectural panelsformed out of wood. For instance, the panels may begin to cup, warp orbend, which may ultimately produce cracks within the panel. The cracksmay compromise the structural integrity of the panel as well as reducethe aesthetic appeal thereof. The dimensional distortions may be causedby changes in temperature and humidity, as well as changes in light.

In view of the distortion issues commonly associated with thearchitectural panels, many existing techniques have been developed tomitigate such distortions. One existing technique is to cut the woodwith the grain (as opposed to against the grain) when forming the panel.Another technique is to increase the thickness of the panel. Dimensionaldistortions may further be mitigated by drying the wood before formingthe panel. Although the aforementioned techniques may be employed tomitigate distortions within the panel, it remains that distortions arelikely to occur to some extent. Furthermore, the distortions may beaccentuated by the size of the panels. The panels are commonly formed ina 2′×4′ size, as well as a 4′×8′ size. Accordingly, such panels arerelatively thin compared to their length and width, which accentuatesany cupping, bending or warping within the panel. In addition, designsor patterns carved into one side of the panel may contribute to thecupping, bending or warping.

Another problem commonly associated with architectural panels relates tothe mounting and alignment of the panels onto a wall or other similarmounting surface. In particular, the mounting of the panels tends to bea time consuming and cumbersome process. Each panel may be required tobe held in place while a plurality of mechanical fasteners are used tomount the panel to the support surface. The usage of mechanicalfasteners may also require marring the outer design surface of thepanel, which typically compromises the appearance thereof.

It is also desirable to mount the panels to the wall in an alignedconfiguration. For instance, when a plurality of panels are mounted in arow next to each other, it is oftentimes preferred to evenly space thepanels apart from each other, with the upper and lower edges of adjacentpanels disposed in substantially co-linear relationship. Currentmounting techniques make it difficult to achieve such precise alignment.

As is apparent from the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for areinforcement device which reduces the likelihood of dimensionaldeformations formed within an architectural panel. There also exists aneed for a mounting system which allows for quick and easy mounting ofan architectural panel to a mounting surface, which aligns adjacentpanels relative to each other. Various aspects of the present inventionaddress these particular needs, as will be discussed in more detailbelow.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention relates to a planar support memberfor an architectural panel. The planar support member is sized andconfigured to enhance the structural integrity of the panel for purposesof reducing deformation of the panel, such as warping, cupping andcracking.

There is provided a panel support system for architectural displays. Thepanel support system includes an architectural panel defining a carvedsurface, an opposing architectural attachment surface and a sidewallextending between the carved surface and the architectural attachmentsurface. A planar support member is connected to the architecturalattachment surface. The planar support member is sized and configured tomitigate deformation of the carved surface of the panel.

The support member may be formed out of a strong, lightweight material,such as aluminum. The support member may also include a latticeframework defining a honeycomb pattern. The support member may furtherdefine a planar surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided amounting system for use with an architectural panel for mounting thearchitectural panel to a support surface. The mounting system may enablequick and easy attachment of the panel to the mounting surface. Themounting system includes a support surface mounting member having a baseand a bulbous tip portion connected to the base. The base is attachableto the support surface. The mounting system further includes a panelmounting member which is engageable with the support surface mountingmember and retainable adjacent the architectural panel. The panelmounting member includes a cup that is sized and configured to receivethe bulbous tip portion upon engagement with the support surfacemounting member.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provideda panel alignment system for aligning adjacent panels mounted to amounting surface. The panel alignment system includes a pair ofalignment members, wherein each alignment member includes an attachmentportion being engageable with the panel and an alignment portionconnected to the attachment portion. The alignment portion is sized andconfigured to be engageable with a corresponding alignment portion of acorresponding alignment member coupled to an adjacent architecturalpanel to align the architectural panel with the adjacent architecturalpanel.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded upper perspective view of an architectural paneland a planar support member;

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective sectional view of the architectural paneland planar support member, along with a panel mounting member andcorresponding retention member exploded from a bore formed within thepanel;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of an architectural panel havingmultiple reinforcement members connected thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the architectural panel andreinforcement members depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the architectural panel detachedfrom a support surface;

FIG. 6 is a side section view of a support surface mounting memberdisengaged from the panel mounting member;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the support surface mounting memberengaged with the panel mounting member;

FIGS. 8 a-8 e depict support surface mounting members defining variouslengths;

FIGS. 9 a-9 c depict various mounting configurations for thearchitectural panel relative to the support surface;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of a plurality of alignment membersconnected to the architectural panel;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the alignment member depicted inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front upper perspective view of the alignment memberdepicted in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a rear upper perspective view of the alignment memberdepicted in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, andnot for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate oneembodiment of a reinforcement member for an architectural panel 10. Oneor more architectural panels 10 may be connected to a support surface 12(see FIG. 8), such as a wall, door, cupboard, and the like for enhancingthe aesthetic appearance of the support surface 12. The architecturalpanel 10 defines a carved surface 14 having an architectural oraesthetic design displayed thereon. The architectural panel 10 furtherdefines an architectural attachment surface 16, with the carved surface14 and architectural attachment surface 16 being disposed on opposingsides of the architectural panel 10. A planar support member 18 isattached to the architectural panel 10 to enhance the structuralintegrity of the architectural panel 10. More specifically, the planarsupport member 18 is sized and configured to mitigate against buckling,cracking, warping, or other similar structural defects which thearchitectural panel 10 may encounter over time.

Referring specifically now to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2,the architectural panel 10 defines a recess configured to receive theplanar support member 18. In particular, the architectural attachmentsurface 16 includes an inner portion 20 and an outer portion 22. Theinner portion 20 is recessed into the architectural panel 10 from theouter portion 22. An attachment surface side wall 24 extends between theinner portion 20 and the outer portion 22. The planar support member 18defines a support attachment surface 26, an opposing exposed surface 28,and a reinforcement side wall 30 extending between the supportattachment surface 26 and the exposed surface 28. The reinforcement sidewall 30 defines a reinforcement periphery.

The planar support member 18 is disposable within the recess formedwithin the architectural attachment surface 16. In this manner, amechanical fastener, such as an adhesive 21, may be used to join thesupport attachment surface 26 to the inner portion 20 of thearchitectural attachment surface 16. The attachment surface side wall 24may completely circumscribe the reinforcement side wall 30. In oneembodiment, although not necessary, the planar support member 18 and thearchitectural panel 10 are sized and configured to create frictionalengagement between the reinforcement side wall 30 and the attachmentsurface sidewall 24 when the support member 18 is received within therecess formed within the architectural attachment surface 16.

The planar support member 18 may be manufactured out of a strong,durable material capable of withstanding the structurally deformingforces produced by the architectural panel 10. For instance,architectural panels 10 are commonly formed out of wood. The woodarchitectural panels 10 tend to warp, bend, and cup over time, which mayultimately produce cracks within the architectural panel 10. The forceswhich generate the warping, bending, cupping and similar deformationsare referred to herein as structural deforming forces. The planarsupport member 18 is manufactured out of a material capable ofwithstanding the structurally deforming forces. In other words, theplanar support member 18 mitigates against structural deformations ofthe architectural panel 10 caused by the structural deforming forces.

It is also desirable to manufacture the planar support member 18 out ofa material that is lightweight. As described in more detail below, theplanar support member 18 and architectural panel assembly are generallylifted for mounting to the support surface 12. Therefore, mounting ofthe assembly to the support surface 12 is made easier by reducing theoverall weight of the assembly. In this regard, a lightweight planarsupport member 18 makes the attachment of the assembly to the supportsurface 12 easier.

In one embodiment, the planar support member 18 is manufactured out ofaluminum. Aluminum is a generally durable material and is relativelylightweight. However, it is understood that other materials known bythose skilled in the art may be used without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

The weight of the planar support member 18 may also be reduced byforming the planar support member 18 out of a lattice framework, such asa honeycomb pattern best depicted in FIG. 2. The lattice framework mayinclude a plurality of interconnected members defining gaps extendingthrough the framework. The interconnected members may provide sufficientstrength and rigidity to overcome the structurally deforming forcesdescribed above. However, the gaps may reduce the overall weight of theplanar support member 18, thereby reducing the overall weight of theplanar support member 18.

The shape of the support member 18 is generally complimentary to theshape of the panel 10. For instance, in the embodiment depicted in theFigures, both the panel 10 and support member 18 are generally planar.However, it is understood that the panel 10 may define a non-planarshape (i.e., a curved surface). As such, it is contemplated that otherimplementations of the support member 18 may define a non-planar shapewhich is complimentary to the panel 10.

As mentioned above, the architectural panels 10 are commonly formed outof wood. In this manner, the architectural design included in the carvedsurface 14 is generally cut into the carved surface 14. However, it isunderstood that the carved surface 14 may be formed via a moldingprocess, or other processes known in the art which result in anarchitectural design. It is contemplated that the support member 18 maybe connected to the architectural panel 10 before, during, or after thedesign is formed in the carved surface 14.

When the planar support member 18 is connected to the architecturalpanel 10, it is desirable to dispose the exposed surface 28 of theplanar support member 18 in substantially flush arrangement with theouter portion 22 of the architectural attachment surface 16. With thisarrangement, the planar support member 18 does not substantiallyprotrude beyond the architectural panel 10, which allows for closeattachment of the architectural panel 10 to the support surface 12.However, it is understood that other embodiments of the architecturalpanel 10 may not include a recess formed therein. As such, the planarsupport member 18 may simply be connected to the architecturalattachment surface 16, with the thickness of the planar support member18 extending out from the architectural attachment surface 16. In thisregard, the planar support member 18 may define a length and width whichis substantially equal to the length and width of the panel 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is contemplated that variousembodiments of the architectural panel 10 may require multiple planarsupport members 18. Accordingly, one embodiment includes anarchitectural panel 10 having multiple recesses formed therein forreceiving multiple planar support members 18. The specific embodimentdepicted in FIG. 3 includes a single architectural panel 10 definingfour recesses to receive four planar support members 18. FIG. 4 is aside sectional view illustrating the planar support members 18 disposedwithin the architectural panel 10. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3and 4, the architectural attachment surface 16 includes four innerportions 20 recessed into the architectural panel 10 from the outerportion 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, various aspects of the present invention aredirected toward a mounting system for mounting an architectural panel 10to a support surface 12. As described in more detail below, the mountingsystem may have structural attributes which allow for mounting of thearchitectural panel 10 upon the support surface 12 via small forces,while requiring much larger forces for removal of the architecturalpanel 10 from the support surface 12. Such a mounting system enablesquick and easy mounting of the architectural panel 10 to the supportsurface 12, while at the same time creating a strong and secureengagement between the architectural panel 10 and the support surface12. Although the mounting system discussed herein, as well as depictedin FIG. 5-9, is described for use with architectural panels, it isunderstood that the mounting system may be employed to mount pictures orother wall devices/coverings to a support surface 12.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 6 and 7, the architectural panel 10is disengaged from the support surface 12 in FIG. 6, while FIG. 7 showsthe architectural panel 10 engaged with the support surface 12. Themounting system includes a support surface mounting member 40 and apanel mounting member 42. The panel mounting member 42 is connectable tothe architectural panel 10, while the support surface mounting member 40is connectable to the support surface 12. The panel mounting member 42is also engageable with the support surface mounting member 40 to mountthe architectural panel 10 to the support surface 12.

The support surface mounting member 40 includes a base 44 and a bulboustip portion 46. Various implementations of the support surface mountingmember 40 may also include a shaft 48 disposed between the base 44 andthe bulbous tip portion 46.

The panel mounting member 42 includes a cup 50 which is sized andconfigured to receive and engage with the bulbous tip portion 46 of thesupport surface mounting member 40. When the bulbous tip portion 46 isreceived within the cup 50, the panel mounting member 42 is engaged withthe support surface mounting member 40 for securing the architecturalpanel 10 to the support surface 12, as shown in FIG. 7.

Various embodiments of the support surface mounting member 40 mayinclude a bulbous tip portion 46 which is specifically configured tofacilitate insertion of the bulbous tip portion 46 into the cup 50,while at the same time making removal of the bulbous tip portion 46 fromthe cup 50 more difficult. To this end, one implementation of thebulbous tip portion 46 defines a non-spherical shape. In this regard,every cross-section of the bulbous tip portion 46 may not be a circle.Rather, the slope of the bulbous tip portion 46 may be greater at theproximal end segment 52 of the bulbous tip portion 46 (i.e., the segmentof the bulbous tip portion 46 adjacent the base 44) than the distalsegment 54 (i.e., the segment of the bulbous tip portion 46 farthestfrom the base 44).

The change in the slope of the bulbous tip portion 46 may be illustratedby analyzing the change in the cross-sectional radius of the bulbous tipportion 46 from the distal segment 54 from the proximal segment 52. Asused herein, the cross-sectional radius of the bulbous tip portion 46 isdefined by a line extending orthogonally from the center line 56 of thebulbous tip portion 46.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional radius, “r” increases from thedistal segment 54 in a direction toward the proximal segment 52. Thecross-sectional radius r continues to increase as the distance from thedistal segment 54 increases until the cross-sectional radius r is equalto R_(max). The location on the bulbous tip portion 46 where thecross-sectional radius r is the greatest is at the bulge 58.

The cross-sectional radius r increases at a first rate from the distalsegment 54 to the bulge 58. The cross-sectional radius r decreases fromthe bulge 58 toward the proximal segment 52 at a second rate. The secondrate is larger than the first rate, which produces a steeper slope ofthe bulbous tip portion 46 at the proximal segment 52 relative to theslope at the distal segment 54.

This change in the cross-sectional radius r results in a bulbous tipportion 46 which is non-spherical in shape. The non-spherical shape ofthe bulbous tip portion 46 allows for easy insertion into the cup 50,while making removal of the bulbous tip portion 46 from the cup 50 moredifficult. For instance, the non-spherical shape of the bulbous tipportion 46 may require a force that is 3-4 times greater to remove thebulbous tip portion 46 from the cup 50 compared to the force required toinsert the bulbous tip portion 46 into the cup 50.

As mentioned above, the support surface mounting member 40 may becoupled to the support surface 12, and the panel mounting member 42 maybe coupled to the architectural panel 10. In this regard, mechanicalfasteners known by those skilled in the art may be used to couple thesupport surface mounting member 40 to the support surface 12, as well asto couple the panel mounting member 42 to the architectural panel 10.

In the particular embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the supportsurface 12 is a wall which includes a drywall member 60, which definesthe support surface 12, and a structural stud 62. The support surfacemounting member 40 may be connected to the support surface 12 by aconnecting screw 64. The connecting screw 64 may include a threaded studsection 66, a non-threaded drywall section 68, and a threaded mountingmember section 70. The threaded stud section 66 is inserted through thesupport surface 12 and drywall member 60 and is screwed into thestructural stud 62. When the threaded stud section 66 is screwed intothe structural stud 62, the threaded mounting member section 70protrudes from the drywall member 60.

The mounting member section 70 may include a tool recess 72 configuredto engage with a tool for screwing the connecting screw 64 through thedrywall member 60 and structural stud 62. For instance, a screwdriver,Allen screw, or the like may be used to screw the connecting screw 64through the drywall member 60 and structural stud 62. Alternatively,connecting screw 64 is affixed to the mounting member 40 and the base 44may define a hex surface which is used to drive the connecting screw 64.The mounting member section 70 may further include external threadswhich may be used to connect the support surface mounting member 40thereto. In this manner, the support surface mounting member 40 mayinclude an internally threaded chamber configured to receive themounting member section 70. As such, the support surface mounting member40 may easily be connected to the connecting screw 64 by screwing thesupport surface mounting member 40 thereto.

The panel mounting member 42 may be coupled to the architectural panel10 by a retaining member 74. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and7, the architectural panel 10 defines a bore 76 extending into thearchitectural panel 10 from the architectural attachment surface 16. Inthis regard, the retaining member 74 is configured to maintain the panelmounting member 42 within the bore 76. In one embodiment, the retainingmember 74 is disposable between the panel mounting member 42 and thearchitectural panel 10 to maintain the panel mounting member 42 withinthe bore 76. The retention member 74 may include external threads 84which engage with the architectural panel 10 when the retaining member74 is inserted in the bore 76. A user inserts the panel mounting member42 into the bore 76, then subsequently inserts the retaining member 74into the bore 76 to keep the panel mounting member 42 within the bore76. The panel mounting member 42 and retaining member 74 may be sizedand configured to enable the panel mounting member 42 to “float” withinthe bore 76 to allow the panel mounting member 42 to move relative tothe panel 10 to facilitate engagement with the support surface mountingmember 40.

In this specific implementation illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the panelmounting member 42 includes a flange 78 extending from the cup 50.Accordingly, the retaining member 74 includes a flange retention portion80 and a cup retention portion 82. The flange retention portion 80circumscribes the flange 78, while the cup retention portion 82circumscribes the cup 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the support surface mounting member 40defines a length “L” as the distance from the distal end 86 of thebulbous tip portion 46 and the contact surface 88 of the base 44. Thelength L may be increased by increasing the length of shaft 48. As shownin FIGS. 8 a-8 e, the length L of the support surface mounting member 40increases by providing a shaft having a longer length L.

The spacing between the architectural panel 10 and the support surface12 may be varied by using support surface mounting members 40 which varyin length L. Referring now specifically to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, thedistance between the architectural panel 10 and the support surface 12is greater in FIG. 9 a than in 9 b. The greater distance is achieved byemploying a support surface mounting member 40 having a greater length Lin FIG. 9 a relative to the support surface mounting members 40 used inFIG. 9 b. As such, the architectural panel 10 in FIG. 9 b is mountedmuch closer the support surface 12 than the architectural panel 10 inFIG. 9 a. However, in both instances, the architectural panel 10 and thesupport surface 12 are disposed in generally parallel relationshiprelative to each other, because the length of the upper and lowersupport surface mounting members 40 are the same.

However, referring now specifically to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9c, the architectural panel 10 may be disposed in a non-parallelrelationship relative to the support surface 12 by using support surfacemounting members 40 that vary in length on a single architectural panel10. In this manner, the upper support surface mounting member 40 isshorter than the lower support surface mounting member 40 in the exampledepicted in FIG. 9 c. Consequently, the space between the architecturalpanel 10 and the support surface 12 is larger at the bottom and smallerat the top. It may be advantageous to employ this technique in order toachieve desired lighting and/or shading on the carved surface 14. Bychanging the angle of the carved surface 14 relative to the lightsource, the light and/or shade on the carved surface 14 may be altered.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, there is depicted an alignment system foraligning adjacent panels 10 which have been mounted to the supportsurface 12. The alignment system includes one or more alignment members100 which are connected to a panel 10. Each alignment member 100includes an attachment portion 102 and an alignment portion 104. Thealignment portion 104 is sized and configured to be engageable with anadjacent alignment portion 104 connected to an adjacent panel 10. Theadjacent panels 10 are substantially aligned upon engagement between theadjacent alignment portions 104.

The alignment member 100 may be connected to the panel 10 by amechanical fastener known in the art. Attachment bores 106 may extendthrough the attachment portion 102 to facilitate attachment of thealignment member 100 to the panel 10. For instance, a nail or screw mayextend through the attachment bores 106 to connect the alignment member100 to the panel 10.

It is also contemplated that the alignment member 100 may be used inconnection with the mounting system described above. In this manner, thealignment member 100 may include a mounting bore 108 extendingtherethrough. The mounting bore 108 may be sized to allow the supportsurface mounting member 40 to engage with the panel mounting member 42.Portions of the bulbous tip portion 46 as well as the cup 50 may extendinto the mounting bore 108 during engagement between the support surfacemounting member 40 and the panel mounting member 42.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 10, each panel 10 may include aplurality of alignment members 100 connected thereto. As shown, thepanel 10 includes an alignment member 100 connected to the supportsurface 12 adjacent each corner of the panel 10. Each alignment member100 is mounted to the panel 10 in a specific orientation to allow forengagement within adjacent alignment member 100 connected to an adjacentpanel 10. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the uppermost alignmentmembers 100 are rotated approximately 180 degrees relative to each otherto facilitate engagement with an adjacent alignment member 100.Likewise, the lowermost alignment members 100 are rotated 180 degreesrelative to each other for engagement with an adjacent alignment member.

When adjacent panels 10 are mounted upon the support surface 12, thealignment members 100 engage with each other to alignment the panels 10relative to each other. In this regard, the edges of the panel 10 may bedisposed in substantially parallel and/or co-linear relation relative toeach other.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention mayalso be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, theparticular combination of parts described and illustrated herein isintended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention,and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative deviceswithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A panel support system for architectural displays, the panel supportsystem comprising: an architectural wood panel defining a carvedsurface, an opposing architectural attachment surface and a sidewallextending between the carved surface and the architectural attachmentsurface; and a support member connected to the architectural attachmentsurface, the support member being sized and configured to mitigatedeformation of the carved surface.
 2. The panel support system of claim1, wherein the architectural attachment surface includes an outerportion and an inner portion recessed into the architectural panel fromthe outer portion.
 3. The panel support system of claim 2, wherein thesupport member defines a support attachment surface and an opposingexposed surface, the support attachment surface being connected to theinner portion of the architectural attachment surface, the exposedsurface being substantially flush with the outer portion of thearchitectural attachment surface.
 4. The panel support system of claim1, wherein the support member includes a lattice framework.
 5. The panelsupport system of claim 4, wherein the lattice framework defines ahoneycomb pattern.
 6. The panel support system of claim 1, furtherincluding: a support surface mounting member including a base and abulbous tip portion connected to the base, the base being attachable toa support surface; and a panel mounting member being engageable with thesupport surface mounting member and retainable adjacent thearchitectural panel, the panel mounting member including a cup beingsized and configured to receive the bulbous tip portion upon engagementwith the support surface mounting member.
 7. The panel support system asrecited in claim 6, further comprising a retention member engageablewith the architectural panel, the retention member being disposablebetween the panel mounting member and being sized and configured toretain the panel mounting member adjacent the architectural panel. 8.The panel support system as recited in claim 7, wherein thearchitectural panel includes a bore extending into the panel from thearchitectural attachment surface, the retention member being receivedwithin the bore when engaged with the architectural panel.
 9. Themounting system as recited in claim 6, wherein the support surfacemounting member defines a longitudinal axis, the bulbous tip portiondefining a distal end and a proximal end disposed between the distal endand the base, the bulbous tip portion defining a radius extendingradially outwardly from the longitudinal axis, the bulbous tip portiondefining a bulge at a location between the distal end and the proximalend, the radius being a maximum at the bulge, the radius increasing at afirst rate in a direction along the longitudinal axis from the distalend to the bulge, the radius decreasing at a second rate in a directionalong the longitudinal axis from the bulge to the proximal end, thesecond rate being larger than the first rate.
 10. The panel supportsystem as recited in claim 6, further including a pair of alignmentmembers, each alignment member including: an attachment portion beingengageable with the panel mounting member; and an alignment portionconnected to the attachment portion, the alignment portion being sizedand configured to be engageable with a corresponding alignment portionof a corresponding alignment member coupled to an adjacent architecturalpanel to align the architectural panel with the adjacent architecturalpanel.
 11. The panel support system as recited in claim 1, wherein thesupport member defines a planar surface.
 12. A mounting system for usewith an architectural panel for mounting the architectural panel to asupport surface, the mounting system including: a support surfacemounting member including a base and a bulbous tip portion connected tothe base, the base being attachable to the support surface; and a panelmounting member being engageable with the support surface mountingmember and retainable adjacent the architectural panel, the panelmounting member including a cup being sized and configured to receivethe bulbous tip portion upon engagement with the support surfacemounting member.
 13. The mounting system as recited in claim 12, furthercomprising a retention member engageable with the architectural panel,the retention member being disposable between the panel mounting memberand the architectural panel and being sized and configured to retain thepanel mounting member adjacent the architectural panel.
 14. The mountingsystem as recited in claim 12, wherein the support surface mountingmember defines a longitudinal axis, the bulbous tip portion defining adistal end and a proximal end disposed between the distal end and thebase, the bulbous tip portion defining a radius extending radiallyoutwardly from the longitudinal axis, the bulbous tip portion defining abulge at a location between the distal end and the proximal end, theradius being a maximum at the bulge, the radius increasing at a firstrate in a direction along the longitudinal axis from the distal end tothe bulge, the radius decreasing at a second rate in a direction alongthe longitudinal axis from the bulge to the proximal end, the secondrate being larger than the first rate.
 15. The mounting system asrecited in claim 12, wherein the cup is formed of a resilient material.16. The mounting system as recited in claim 12, further including a pairof alignment members, each alignment member including: an attachmentportion being engageable with the panel mounting member; and analignment portion connected to the attachment portion, the alignmentportion being sized and configured to be engageable with a correspondingalignment portion of a corresponding alignment member coupled to anadjacent architectural panel to align the architectural panel with theadjacent architectural panel.
 17. A method of supporting anarchitectural panel, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing:an architectural panel defining a carved surface, an opposingarchitectural attachment surface and a sidewall extending between thecarved surface and the architectural attachment surface; and a supportmember sized and configured to mitigate deformation of the carvedsurface; and b) attaching the support member to the architecturalattachment surface to mitigate deformation of the carved surface. 18.The method recited in claim 17, further comprising the step of formingan architectural design within the carved surface.
 19. The methodrecited in claim 18, wherein the step of forming the architecturaldesign is performed before step b).
 20. The method recited in claim 18,wherein the step of forming the architectural design is performed afterstep b).